Tubular Bells

I had an ex who considered this the pinnacle of musical achievement. He turned out to be about as tedious as this album is. I get why it's on the list, it was sort of groundbreaking in its day. I just never got it, it rouses nothing in me. I hear a bunch of boring musical wankery, and just want to yawn and push it aside.

"Thanks for the recording, Mike. Great tune. Love those bells! We can really do something with them... Oh sure, the whistles are cute, too... Uh-huh, and the guitar at 14 minutes... Yep, the jig at the end was, er, also amusing... Nice stuff. Sure. I'm just saying that as far as quote unquote songs, it's obvious those first four minutes do the heavy lifting, so we should run with those. Maybe work in a few of the other bits. That'll shave off a cool forty-four minutes or so. Then we'll be sitting pre... Sorry, say that again... Oh. Really? All of it?... I see... Uh-huh... I see... Mike, that's *very* long. I'm not sure peope will be able to tolerate it once the main bit is over so early... Mike?... Mike?... Shit."

Based on this project, I’m starting to see “he played all the instruments!” as a warning sign, not a recommendation.

Stunning. A prefect work of art. The man was 19 when he composed the album and it took him 6 months. An absolute masterpiece

Good shit, 20+ minute songs are where it's at. Favorite track is Tubular Bells lol

At its best, it reminds me of things I would rather be listening to; at its worst, it reminds me how bad of a decision it was to listen to this instead of those other things. Maybe Oldfield didn't understand that announcing instruments doesn't make the theme they're riffing on sound any better, it only makes me regret that I have to listen to another round of it before I can finally finish the album. I only two things notable: the sequence in Tubular Bells Pt. II with the grunted vocals and the fact that a child-rapist used the first minute as a theme for his movie about demon possession. The former only happened because Oldfield got himself drunk enough to accidentally do something interesting. The latter's what brought us here, listening to an album that makes me wish some priest could exorcise the memory of this bland music out of my fucking head.

When the drums kick in during Bells pt. 2 and that guy starts grunt-singing and howling in whatever language that was… I finally had my first genuine WTF moment with this entire list. And I liked it! This album really runs the gamut of the ridiculous and the sublime, and the whole time I kept thinking of A) The Exorcist B) that Oldfield should make a record with Tortoise and C) that Oldfield should make a record with Mike Patton. All enjoyable thoughts in my book.

“Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield (1973) Autobiographical review: I bought this album when it came out in 1973, chiefly because of the brilliance of the single release (used as theme music for the movie “The Exorcist”), but I’m pretty sure I never listened to the whole album. I lacked the patience. This morning, I don’t know if I have the patience, but I do have the time. Almost entirely instrumental, it’s basically an experimental composition with a wide variety of keyboard and guitar sounds, woven together in a richly textured pastiche of tones. A dubbing picnic. On the plus side, this work is extraordinarily innovative (for 1973), with some very creative instrumentation, recording techniques, time signatures, and chord progressions. It’s very interesting to listen to this album and ask oneself how he’s making this or that particular sound. Definitely cool. On the minus side, there is little percussion (none on side one), and there is a complete lack of cohesion—a random mixture of moods that are missing a symphonic theme. It’s composed and arranged as if it were a high tech hobby. Some pitch problems on the backing vocals and lower end fretted string instruments. And the gimmicky voiceover naming added instruments is pedantic. When it finally gets to what one might call prog rock at 14:00 on side two, it’s substandard. Remember, we’d already heard Emerson, Lake & Palmer and early Pink Floyd. Most of the album doesn’t rise to the quality of the first four minutes. Very disappointing. So while the album is definitely good, it’s finally unsatisfying. Now on the other hand, if I were high . . . 3/5

why the growling? it was good before the growling

Ni fu, ni fa.

never gonna listen to it again but i'm glad i did 2/5

As unique now as it was in 1973, definitely an album you must hear before you die.

Amazing. I had no idea the famous instrumental piece is from this album.

So I had listened to this album a few times in the past, due to my deep prog roots – combined with how much buzz the album had gotten over the years, and I have to say that after today’s listen – my thoughts haven’t changed… #1 – It is an impressive work for a 19-year old who played all of the instruments at the time of its release… Most albums where the artist plays every instrument typically suffer from lack of diversity, but that was not a problem on this album – so that was good… #2 – There are sections of the music that I truly enjoyed, as there is no denying that… #3 – Why in the world he felt the need to “introduce” each of the instruments in “Part I” is beyond me, as that TOTALLY ruined whatever vibe he had going with me on that track… #4 – Same kinda thing on “Part II”, as I was sorta beginning to dig a section, and then he starts grunting for lack of a better word – and AGAIN, totally ruined whatever vibe he had going – I mean like WTF??? #5 – The “Single” track – which is what I’m guessing was the short-version released back in the day for radio, was fairly well-done – and again as I was enjoying the track, I half-expected something odd to jump out at me, but turns out that was the only unflawed track… Nothing amazing mind you, but certainly pleasant… #6 – The last song is a complete throwaway, and have no idea why he included it on this album, or what its purpose was… “Tubular Bells” still doesn’t do much for me overall, and saddened by the fact that A LOT of outstanding prog-rock albums that SHOULD be on this list – probably aren’t due to albums like this… Nothing but a 2 from me…

10/10, I love weird prog that was just such a cool album, I really loved it

Another one my brother bought but I don’t know where this vinyl ended up. I remembered the music was widely known since it was in a popular movie. The wiki notes reminded me it was The Exorcist. It’s quite impressive that he was still a teenager when he wrote and played all the instruments. One thing I didn't remember is how good he was at playing guitar.He lays down some good shit The end of side 1 is priceless when the introduction of the instruments builds to a climax as we eagerly await the introduction of the tubular bells. The timing of this release could not have been better since the use of Hallucinogenics was reaching new heights. I have to call this a masterpiece.

Stunning piece of progressive rock

Not sure it's dated too well, but can imagine that it sounded great on a decca music centre at the time, but was no more than background music when played today. Liked the grunts, hated the jig at the end, and astounded that he was 19 when he produced what would have been groundbreaking material at the time.

"Tubular Bells" is an hour of pretentious, self-indulgent trash. But, most damning of all, it's boring. Prog absolutely isn't my genre but even I know it should be complex, edgy, and challenging. The few times "Tubular Bells" broke away from being vanilla, it was to do something cringey. And don't get me started on that last track. Utter trash. Why's that on the album? Buggered if I know.

I am very familiar with this album. I know it's repetitive and impossibly connected to "The Exorcist," and that's what made me buy the CD all those many years ago. But as I listened to the album in my teens and 20s (and beyond), I remained mesmerized by the album on its own terms. I love how the initial riff of the first side serves as a bed for so many other melodies and how they all culminate in flowing trickles and dramatic swells in an ever-expanding and contracting composition. I also remain impressed with the sheer number of instruments (analog!) incorporated. The mandolins and electric guitars, the piano and chiming bells, the choir... the arrangement is fantastic. And the introduction of the instruments is genius. I always get a kick out his excitement when the narrator says, "plus, tubular bells!" (Though "two slightly distorted guitars" might really be the best.) I was thrilled to see this served up and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. It had been a while. I'll take this over every single EDM offering we've had to date.

Fun and spooky mostly instrumental progressive album that still holds up today.

What a cool album. There were shades of Final Fantasy in this album. It was a cool touch to introduce all of the instruments as they were added. This feels like a world music album with the variety of instruments, including bagpipes and Spanish guitar. I'm only reviewing based on Tubular Bells pt 1 and 2. Such a pleasant album I'll likely listen to again. I thought the album was going to be very simple and repetitive due to the first few minutes. The only real downside of this album was the weird moaning in Pt. 2. Everything else was a high throughout the entirety. I enjoyed the fact that it was just 2 long songs that gave Mr. Oldfield room to draw out and experiment during songs, almost like a jam band. Would pair nicely with a day at the Renaissance Festival. This album is a sneaky 5 in my opinion. I was in between 4 and 5, but the uniqueness of the album and the fact that it elicited joy while I was deep cleaning the bathroom pushes it into 5 territory.

This is amazing, truly a masterpiece, I love the first track

I greatly prefer the 2003 remake, possibly because it is the first version I heard and possibly because it does sound much better from a pure sound quality perspective. Anyway, this album is a milestone in my musical journey because it was one of the first ones where I would concentrate on the sounds and on the sensations they gave me more than on words (of course, they're basically not there here) or other aspects. It's still one of my go-to albums to test audio stuff and I enjoy it greatly.

Not too hot on the music, but the lyrics are great.

Groovy groovy groovy without exception this makes you remove all your clothes, douse yourself in ice cold water, and dance in the pitch black darkness

This thing has baselines! Good fun.

Une fois n'est pas coutume, je préfère le 2

I didn't know anything about this but actually really liked it. It was excellent music to have on while I was working. There were some weird choices and it was produced a bit strangely (differing levels, etc) but overall I thought this was great!

Listened Before? I'm not sure... I think so? I have no memory of the music, but the album art seems extremely familiar. I think I may have stumbled on this before, but its basically a new listen. If the album art wasn't already screaming "this is prog rock" the tracklist certainly does. One single piece split into two parts that are spread evenly across each side of a record. I find such a format sort of difficult to review. All I can say is that I understand the decision on format. While there are no words, the instrumental tells a certain story that is in constant evolution. Could easily imagine someone producing a visual accompaniment. Pretty incredible how the whole thing seamlessly transitions without ever feeling "forced." I do enjoy the goofy spoken narration of instruments around the 21 minute mark as he layers instruments over a repeating melody. I don't know why, but I was surprised when he said "Tubular Bells" and then the mixing pushed them front and center with a choral accompaniment. Well that was an enjoyable 26 minutes -- nice background music. Onto Pt II... honestly, the music itself is quite enjoyable, but what the everloving fuck are these vocals? It is as if they are channeling their inner werewolf and grumbling incoherent German(?). In a weird way it just works, but it is a curious choice just as with the narration in the first part. I'm left at the conclusion of this one a little confused. On one hand, I enjoyed it (especially the virtuouso guitar section around 17 min of pt II). On the other, I have no longing desire to go back for another journey. I think this is an incredible display of musical prowess from Oldfield, in not only playing a large number of the instrumentals, but also in arranging a coherent instrumental exploration of this nature. On a technical front I think this is very high; on enjoyment also reasonably high; but on a more nuanced, personal experience front, I'm kind of meh. So I'll be generous and say this is a 4 / 5 that I will probably never go through again. Added to Library? No Songs Added To Playlists:

More cowbell please

Oh man, I was drawn into Oldfield's Tubular Bells. Both epic sides of this record really were mesmerizing and instrumentally beautiful. The growling on Side B was even acceptable :) The single that followed on Spotify was a nice bonus that connected me to my Irish/English ancestors. The other additional song, Sailor's Hornpipe, is bloody hilarious! I am grateful to have been invited to discover Mike Oldfield and look forward to checking out his catalogue. I have a feeling I'll be doing the jig!

Is there any instrument this guy can’t play??

01) Tubular Bells, Part One - 7,0 02) Tubular Bells, Part Two - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,75 (68/100) He was 19 when he recorded this. When I was 19 I longed for a PlayStation. There are some fine sounds here but I don't really like how all these parts that seem to have nothing in common are all glued together into just two songs. The sequence in Tubular Bells Pt. II with the grunted vocals is a bit disturbing, don't like it. Anyway, the first three minutes are the best and the rest is... so, so... The question is if it wasn't for "The Exorcist" would this album be as big as it was? Tubular Bells has sold more than 2.63 million copies in the UK, and an estimated 15 million worldwide. And he was only 19! I got my PlayStation in 1998. for my 20th birthday.

I was enjoying this as kind of a quirky background work music type of album but then the demon(?) voices started on track 2 amidst some pretty rockin guitar and I was jolted out of my flow. The rest of it was widely varied and interesting. Of course I recognized The Shining melody at the beginning. What exactly is going on in the last track?

Nr. 164/1001 Tubular Bells - Pt. 1 2/5 Tubular Bells - Pt. 2 2/5 Average: 2,0 I really didn't like the rock parts thrown into the songs.

One or two parts are OK at best. The rest is just the usual self indulgent prog twaddle.

Not my cup of tea or my glass of bourbon.

Wow. Part 1 you've all hesrd before, - mixes thing up but them, no need to add the names of the instruments as then are added. Really impacts the flow. Pt2 much better,,, until the groans come in. Them he starts the Sailor's hornpipe early. Forget the final track. Not sure what he was aiming for. Great skills and accomplishment.

I wasn't minding this until the growling began in track 2. It was just so unpleasant and unsettling to listen to. Like cookie monster was messing around on the mic.

2.8 - Dollar Tree version of a Philip Glass movie soundtrack (e.g Koyaanisqatsi). Uninteresting electronics, linear arrangements, thin textures. I really didn’t get much off this.

Fucking annoying

love it reather side1 than 2

Un de mes premiers vinyles !

I was wondering if/when this album would appear. It truly meets the criteria of a must listen as it was and is unique in its concept and delivery. I have always loved how the melodies and harmonies flow seamlessly, and, it's got...tubular bells!

Bello, complesso, piacevole, famosissimo.

My favorite electronic album of all-time. Music introduced during the movie”The Exorcist”. Wore out my vinyl recording of it, in the 70’s.

I got really into Mike Oldfield last year, particularly the phenomenal Ommadawn. This is great also. I feel bad for the folks who only know it from The Exorcist, that’s like the first 7 minutes or something, you have to keep listening to get to the guy screaming in Klingon.

Love!!!

I hope to one day be as excited about something as Mike Oldfield when he introduces the mandolin(!)

I guess you've got to love this album or hate it? A lot depends whether you're an oldie too. I'm firmly in the former camp and I guess those that hate it love the sort of new stuff that will be soon forgotten. This was groundbreaking and iconic and has stood the test of time. A truly great album

This album, as a kid, terrified me, but now that I can appreciate great music, great composition…now I love it!

nuormestari, ihmelapsi.. nuori osuja... 80 eri instrumenttia,.masteroinut kaikki.. mike ''old soul'' field... youngfield at present... unc at soul... bike coldfield... Olen melkein kyyneleissä. Kyllä, kuulin tämän, kun se ilmestyi ensimmäisen kerran. Siirryin jazziin ja jazzfuusion puoleen a la Weather Report ja Soft Machine ja National Health. Mutta tällä kertaa olen täynnä niin katkeraa, makeaa nostalgiaa. Tuolloin se muistutti minua surusta Englannin ohittamisesta peltoineen, metsineen ja kukkuloineen. Elgarin ja Vaugh-williamsin itsevarma isänmaallisuus vaikutti silloinkin vanhentuneelta. Joten nyt vuonna 2024 tämä musiikki on niin nostalginen veto menneisyydestä ennen Englannin ja sen kulttuurin valtaamista... TARKOITAN SIIS PUOLALAISIA!!!! MUNA PILLUUN AH AH MUNA PILLUUN AH AH... part 1

Tubular bells are one of my favourite instruments so of course I'm a little bit obsessed with album named after them

Today it's easy again. Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells is one of my all-time favorites. I heard the music for the first time as a 14-year-old teenager and was thrilled. As a 15 year old, I then bought the boxed set of 4 albums. I spent a lot of my pocket money on it back then, even though I desperately needed it for gasoline and cigarettes. This album was my favorite of the collection at first. It took me a while to get into Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn and Callaboration. It was only very late that I found out that Tubular Bells was also the theme music to the film The Excorcist. I didn't like Mike Oldfield's later albums (i.e. after Boxed) nearly as much. Especially the pop stuff he did together with his sister I find highly uninteresting today. I also found the follow-up Tubular Bells X (with X >= 2) really boring. In this respect, I had already given up on Mike Oldfield and occasionally listened to Tubular Bells again. Then, more by chance, I came across the album Amarok, the poisened farewell gift to Virgin. Back to Tubular Bells, the album deserves to be in this canon of 1001 albums more than many others. 5/5

Great album, always is and always was. Listened to it on vinyl, ofcourse!

Classic prog

Masterpiece. Interesting and fascinating all the way through. Weird, wonderful and wicked at time, Mike was only 19 when he made this and he played most of the instruments. It was also the first record to be released on Virgin Records!

Incredible instrumental.

Today we have a progressive classic! This album has been on my list for about 8 or 9 years when I was discovering Progressive Rock. However, I don't remember exactly why, I was exhausted by this type of music and ended up forgetting to listen to some of the albums that were on that list. But the day finally arrived and it is with regret that I say that it didn't impress me as I thought it would. The sound is fantastic, but tiring at some points. The sound is really ahead of its time, but I don't think it has aged very well. Although the album focuses on the sound of instruments, at some points the lack of vocals is really felt. Despite the flaws, the sound synergy is fantastic. I'm going to leave 4 stars today.

Another one I have been meaning to listen to for years. Great stuff

Klasik

90% Best: Tubular Bells (Part One) Must-Hear? May be my prog bias speaking, but hell yeah

9.5/10. Beautifully-arranged music, long songs, amazing instrumentation, and so on. I dig it, and I really wish that there were more Mike Oldfield albums in this 1001 album project. :)

yeh whatever Will said

Thrilled to see an album I know like the back of my hand appearing on the list. Have listened to Tubular Bells for six years and have never got tired of it. Easily in my top 10 albums of all time and potentially my top 5. There's potential for this album to be my favourite out of the 1001.

Original and surprising. Bit of musical wizardry in this assemblage!

Even though it's only two long tracks, this album has so much variety and touches on so many styles. It's insane that he was only 19 when he recorded this. A true prog rock classic.

Great album

jo que bueno, como el primer dia que lo escuche hace ya ni me acuerdo

Writing one 50 minute song as a 19 year old and having it sell more than 16 million albums is pretty damn impressive.

Revolutionary when it was released, and still relevant today.

Classic! Love Mike Oldfield

Iconic album. And not just because of the Exorcist.

What a great album.

Wild that a 19 year old made such an amazing piece of new age music. Perfect production and trasitions.

💖 tubular bells (😂) 🗣️ 9️⃣

A classic, love it.

Really good

Absolutely incredible. 19 years old when he made this…woah. This is a prime example of an album that should be listened to before you die

The best way I can describe this is “medieval electronica,” and WOW I liked it far more than expected. Wild how significant it ended up being (even ignoring all musical influence) because of 1.) being Virgin’s first album, and 2.) The Exorcist. A delight! Listened to: on the train to New Jersey. Favorite track: I’m not picking a favorite on an album with 2 20+ minute tracks.

Das ist natürlich der ganz große Klassiker und das ganz große Meisterwerk von Mike Oldfield. Und das ist auch so. Alle Instrumente selbst eingespielt, die Komposition eine Form der Klassik im modernen Gewand. Meine Lieblingsstelle ist das Vorstellen der Instrumente mit dem großen Finale von Tubular Bells part 1.

-4 songs spanning 56 minutes, color me intrigued -why does this feel like a music students thesis -im just picturing this dude as silver surfer running around playing all the instruments -OH FUCK when the electric comes in -god damn the way he works in and out of bits is incredible -is this a joke, why is this so good -I am literally so far up this albums ass -this album makes me want to die, in like a good way -it’s giving a hint of greensleeves, 10 mins into part 2 -the fucking TEMPO MANAGEMENT -the screaming I could do without. Ok we are gonna pretend the mouth sounds didn’t happen -I WAS RIGHT, bro teased greensleeves -like waltz the entire album -This album simply changes the way you view music -I straight up saw God, that was a religious experience

One of the most iconic albums of prog rock made by a very young man. The actor and musician Matt Berry calls it his favourite album - for a good reason. It's pure atmosphere from beginning to end. It can help you write, dream, imagine and also relax. Just one reason why it was used for the soundtrack of The Exorcist.

Some lovely ambient tunes going on here! Obviously Stereolab were influenced by this album. Not quite as etherreal as Mid-Air Thief but in the same vein. This is an epic album, not to be missed!

NOICE

Love a good 25 minute tune. Exorcist flashbacks.

Wow. INcredible album. A lot of completely unexpected but joyous fun moments. Really enjoyed this one.

Tonally all over the place but I lay listening and was swept up in it, a wee bit confused and sometimes emotional. The opening of pt.1 is so heavily associated with The Exorcist, it made me like it by default as that is one of the greatest ever movies. Feels big and monumental and shit.

A masterpiece.

A game-changing album. By coincidence I played it in full a couple of times last week, for probably the first time in over 40 years.

Very nice album! It is one of my favorite albums.

Haha nice Flashbacks van bassie en adriaan

Вау. Не знал, что это мне нужно, но это было мне нужно

So weird, but so good! Loved this.

Great Album forever!

Excellent! So many memories, loved it.

didn't know this album and enjoying some parts very much, especially tubular bells pt. 1

This is so good! I had no idea the Exorcist song was just a actual song. Pt 1 just continually builds instruments in a very cool way. Very satisfying when the tubular bells finally get introduced. Pt 2 has some crazy vocals and growling going on. I like how they almost bring the main theme back a while bunch of times. Then a Sailors Hornpipe cover after like 45 minutes of original instrumental music? Mr Oldfield is crazy for that. I really enjoyed this whole thing. Very good loud car listen.

It was the first time I've listened to 'Tubular Bells', even if I heard about it before and wanted to listen to it years ago. So glad I finally listened the whole album. What a cool concept and a beautiful record it is. I immediately loved it at first listen and I'll for sure come back and listen to is many more times.